Amanda Macdonald, Executive Director of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) has submitted her resignation effective as of May 24th as she has accepted the position of the Executive Director with the Oshawa BIA.

Despite a relatively short term in Welland that began in February 2018, Amanda has made a significant impact.

“Amanda is an exceptional young woman who brought high energy, resourcefulness, and an extraordinary work ethic to the position”, said Kelly Jones, Downtown BIA Chair.

Past BIA Chair, Dolorese Wright, stated, “Amanda’s fundraising and friend-raising gifts were quite remarkable. Businesses within the boundaries of Downtown Welland are its members and pay the BIA levy along with their property taxes. However, despite being our only staff member, Amanda was able to raise $150,000 over and above that levy in grants, sponsorships, and event revenues. Her Wellandopoly fundraising campaign was especially successful.”

Vice Chair, Brenda Herchmer was impressed with Amanda’s community building skills and ability to engage businesses and other partners. “Her New Horizon’s Community Garden project and the Downtown Patios initiatives are examples of that kind of effort. She also played a key role in the successful coordination of special events including 2018 Feast Street Niagara, Canoe Polo International Championship Opening Ceremonies, Concerts on the Canal, and Canada Day.”

Board secretary Alyssa Adams was especially appreciative of the Downtown Community Report Card. “While Amanda is moving on and will be missed, that survey gathered feedback from both businesses and residents and as such has provided a clear direction for moving forward.”

While the Downtown BIA Board of Directors is sad to say goodbye to Amanda MacDonald, they extend sincere congratulations and warm wishes for success in her new position. Please join us at a Farewell Open House that will be held at Matteo’s Ristorante at 125 E Main St on May 24th from 3:30 to 6:00 PM.

Welland, ON, May 1st, 2019 – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area, in partnership with the City of Welland, is thrilled to announce the free, family-friendly, fun-filled Supper Markets is back!

The free event will take place at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre starting at 4 PM – 6 PM. The dates and line-up for the concert series are as followed:

Friday, July 5

Friday, July 26

Friday August 9

Friday, August 16

Friday, August 23

Friday, August 30

Food will be available for purchase from vendors at 4 PM and throughout the evening.

We would like to thank our sponsors the City of Welland, Giant FM, Country 89, Welland Honda, and Financial Services for their support!

Welland, ON, April 3rd, 2019 – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area and the Hamilton Port Authority, in partnership with the City of Welland, is thrilled to announce the free, family-friendly, fun-filled 2019 Concerts on the Canal series line-up!

The free shows will take place at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre starting at 7 PM, with the exception of the Saturday, July 6th Matinee Performance, which will start at 2 PM. The dates and line-up for the concert series are as followed:

Friday, August 23 – Francophone Evening with Les Rats d’Swompe with local Jean Vanier Band opening (official name coming soon)

Friday, August 30 – Pink Floyd Niagara with Cameron Lee opening

*Performances may be subject to change.

Food will be available for purchase from vendors at 6 PM and throughout the evening. Alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase starting at 7pm at the beer tent. There will be a beer tent at all Concerts on the Canal, excluding the concerts being held on July 1st and July 6th.

We would like to thank our sponsors the City of Welland, Giant FM, Niagara AV Systems, Country 89, Welland Honda, Bujold Colburn and Steele Financial Services for their support!

Welland, ON, April 1st, 2019 – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area and the Hamilton Port Authority, in partnership with the City of Welland, is thrilled to announce the free, family-friendly, fun-filled 2019 Concerts on the Canal series line-up!

The free shows will take place at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre starting at 7 PM, with the exception of the Saturday, July 6th Matinee Performance, which will start at 2 PM. The dates and line-up for the concert series are as followed:

Welland, ON, March 18th, 2019 – Join the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area Board of Management and the Hamilton Port Authority as we announce the 2019 Concerts on the Canal line-up at Taris on the Water, located at 25 West Main Street from 7 PM to 9 PM!

Event-goers will have the chance to listen to sample musical sets from local opening acts and headliners, while food and drink will be available for purchase. Guests of the Grand Reveal Ceremony will include the Concerts on the Canal 2019 presenting sponsors the Hamilton Port Authority, our dedicated sponsors Welland Honda, Niagara AV Systems, Country 89 and Giant FM, City of Welland Dignitaries, the Downtown Welland BIA staff and Board Members, the Welland Chamber of Commerce, and many more.

Welland, ON, October 3rd, 2018 – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of Mama Misfit’s Cheesecakery on West Main. The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday, October 13th, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Mama Misfit’s Cheesecakery is your go-to source for fresh, decadent and inventive cheesecakes and baked goods! After two years of delicious beginnings, and ten months at the Farmer’s market, Owner and Creator Caitlin Nicholesen has decided that these one-of-a-kind addictive cheesecakes require their own home in Downtown Welland – 77 West Main St!

The Downtown Welland BIA is proud to announce and welcome the Mama Misfit’s team to our downtown family! Grand Opening Ceremony guests will include City of Welland Dignitaries, The Downtown Welland BIA, the Welland Chamber of Commerce, Regional media, the public, and many more.

And what’s better than one cheesecake? How about a whole year’s worth of cheesecakes! When you join us on Saturday, October 13th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Grand Opening, you can be entered into a draw for a chance at free cheesecakes for a year – details at the event! The giveaway will be announced on Mama Misfit’s Cheesecakery Facebook page the week of the opening, and the winner chosen the day after the grand opening. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 12:00 p.m – we’ll see you there!

Welland, ON, August 13th, 2018 – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area is thrilled to announce the second annual Feast Street Niagara presented by Pen Financial, from September 22nd to 23rd, 2018! The event will be hosted in Downtown Welland on East Main Street, from King Street to Hellems Avenue, and Cross Street.

Food vendors will start serving delicious tasters and meals from noon until 11 PM on Saturday, September 22nd, and noon to 6 PM, on Sunday, September 23rd. Free entertainment is slated to begin at 12:00 pm. Food vendors will be offering samples of their impressive dishes and three-dollar tasters. There will be yummy experiences for all taste pallets, with a variety of fun for the whole family.

With over 30 food vendors, tonnes of family-fun activities and children’s bouncers, culture and entertainment, there is something for everyone! The Welland Downtown BIA, and PenFinancial, are enthusiastic to be hosting this event in the heart of Welland.

New this year, thanks to Zippy Zoom Indoor Playground, are children’s inflatables located on Cross Street. The Robbin Corry – Your Property Girl Main Stage will include acts on Saturday such as The Associates, Vinyl Flux, The Figure Four, Spencer Mckenzie, Sarah Boulton. And many others! Sunday is Country Music Day, so strap on your boots to tap along to acts such as the Elton Lammie Band, Country Junies, Corey Cruise, and Gavin Ray! Another new addition, thanks to Best Western Rose City Suites, is a second stage on Cross Street! Further details will be announced via the Niagara Music Awards and Feast Street at a later date.

Welland, ON, August 9th 2018 – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area, in partnership with the City of Welland, is excited to announce that the community-wide #SacksSnacksandSchoolSupplies campaign has begun! School appropriate non-perishable snacks, backpacks, and school supplies are welcomed at the various drop-off sites around Welland until August 19th. Donated items will be collected for The Hope Centre to give away before the school year begins.

With the new school year beginning soon, many families are going back to school shopping. For some families in Welland, the added expenses of new school supplies and snacks are not affordable. In Canada, 1.3 million children live under the poverty line, with 35% of children attending school without the proper school supplies on their first day.

The Welland Downtown BIA, City of Welland, and Hope Centre have come together to launch the #300ChildChallange for the #SacksSnacksandSchoolSupplies campaign for Welland children. We invite you to share in our vision to have enough supplies for 300 children for back to school, and we ask the community to be a part of the solution with this local campaign!

There will be multiple drop-off sites around Welland for community members to donate non-perishable snacks, school supplies and backpacks. Sites include City of Welland Civic Square, the Black Sheep Lounge, Mr. Mikes, and the Welland Community Wellness Complex. Bins will also be available at the St. George Family Day on Sunday, August 19th. Healthy non-perishable snacks for students include whole-grain crackers, dried fruits, oats, applesauce, and granola bars. Donations will be collected until August 19th, and The Hope Centre will distribute them on August 22nd.

Welland, ON, April 5, 2018 – The Board of Management of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area, in partnership with the City of Welland Recreation and Culture Department and International Flatwater Centre, is pleased to announce that the 2018 Opening Ceremonies of the IFC Canoe Polo World Championships will be hosted in Downtown Welland on the Merritt Park Floating Stage on Monday, July 30th, 2018!

Food vendors will start serving delicious dinner items at 5:00 PM, with the ceremonies and free entertainment slated to begin at 7:00 PM. King Street will host a parade of nations before the Canadian Anthem and athletes oath! Public dignitaries will make speeches before a flag raising and a Welland group photo. The Merritt Park Floating Stage will then host an incredible line-up of entrainment – Welland founded band The Associates will open for Juno nominated, Canadian rock band, Honeymoon Suite!

The whole community is invited to join this free event and take in the talent, and meet and greet their city staff, councillors, and other esteemed international guests. The Welland Downtown BIA, City of Welland Recreation and Culture Department and Welland International Flatwater Centre, are enthusiastic to be hosting this international event in the heart of Welland!

Further details will be announced via the City of Welland at a later date.

We would like to thank our sponsors Giant FM, Country 89, Casino Fallsview Resort, Welland Honda, Bujold Colburn and Steele Financial Services, and Best Western Rose City Suites for their support!